Hydnum Auriscalpium.

Biography:

William Curtis (1746-1799)

Was an English botanist and entomologist, born at Alton, Hampshire. Curtis began as an apothecary, before turning his attention to botany and natural history. At the age of 25 he produced Instructions for collecting and preserving insects; particularly moths and butterflies. He established his own London Botanic Garden at Lambeth in 1779, moving to Brompton in 1789. His first published series was the highly regarded, Flora Londinensis, a pioneering work that devoted itself to urban nature within a short distance of London. Flora Londinensis was not a financial success but he went on to publish The Botanical Magazine that introduced exotic and familiar plants with appropiate information of the suitable growing conditions and soils for each plant.